Choosing The Right Baler For Your Farm

There are a few essential tools and machines that farmers need to make and sell hay. A baler is one such machine. As obvious as it may seem, there was a time when these pieces of equipment weren’t around to make this part of agriculture faster and more efficient. The good news is, we’ve come a long way since then! So much so, that when you come looking for the right baler, you’re going to be greeted by a lot of them.

To help you narrow down your options, Middletown Tractor Sales has provided some tips for making this process a little easier. That way, when you stop by any one of our locations serving North Central West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania, you can let us know which models among our John Deere balers you want to check out first.

Bale Size & Shape

Many balers are partially defined by what the hay bale looks like once it leaves the machine. Your hay bales can be easier to stack or transport depending on this quality. They’re also very heavy once they’re packed and tied together. There are essentially two types of balers: round balers and square balers. Square balers can be the bigger option in some cases, though not all. Whatever the case may be for you, you’ll want to give some thought to how the hay bales should look once they’ve exited the baler.

Round Balers: Fixed Chambers & Variable Chambers

When you’re looking at round balers, you’ll want to think about whether you want a fixed-chamber baler or a variable-chamber baler. There are different advantages to both and what you need will probably depend on your circumstances. Fixed-chamber round balers are often simpler mechanically. The final result is a bale that’s not quite as dense, which can be easier for smaller animals to feed from. 

Variable-chamber round balers can often be more flexible when it comes to choosing your bale’s size. There are advantages to a denser bale as well; namely that moisture is less likely to creep in and create a problem for your product. If you’re looking at round bales, then this is definitely something you’ll need to consider in your final decision. 

Crop

As you know, not all hay crops are the same. There are a variety of grasses that can be baled into bundles, and each crop needs something a little different. Different moisture levels, different compacting, and so on. Sometimes, this is a matter of adjusting the baler you currently have, but it can also influence the baler you choose. For crops that need more moisture, you’ll probably want a fixed-chamber round baler, while drier crops need something to more tightly compress everything, so a variable-chamber style is probably better.

Horsepower

Of course, whatever baler you choose will need to be compatible with your tractor. This will probably mean checking required horsepower to use it and making sure your primary machine is up to the task. Keep in mind, square balers often require more horsepower than round ones, so give those models a particularly close look when you’re looking at your options. 

Budget

While we’d love to all have all the money in the world to improve our work with the best upgrades and machines, that simply isn’t the case. Naturally, your budget is going to play a role in your final decision. While this is a major factor, keep in mind that frugality shouldn’t entirely dictate your final purchase. You don’t want to pass up a useful model for one that gives you gray hairs, simply because you wanted to save money. If you’re on a budget, make sure you’re still making the right choice for your farm. 

At this point, you’re probably ready to check out some balers available here at Middletown Tractor Sales! Need some help evaluating your farm needs versus your budget? Don't hesitate to reach out to our experienced sales staff who can help you find equipment that is affordable, and that fits your needs. Check out our plethora of John Deere balers we have available, so you can see for yourself all the things we’ve talked about here. We welcome all patrons and are conveniently located near Pittsburgh and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, as well as Morgantown, West Virginia.